Natural breast enlarging serums, permanent hair straightening treatments, hair dyes that don’t damage the scalp, facials that soothe rather than sting; most people would think that such products could not possibly exist within a reasonable budget, but they can. “Is Organics” is a hair salon and beauticians on Dublin’s Capel Street. One step into the store’s calm, relaxing atmosphere and you’ll instantly feel at ease and ready to be pampered, and pampered you will be.
The main focus of Is Organics, and what makes the company relatively unique in Ireland, is its dedication to using only organic products. Owner Louise, who is originally from Malaysia and has been living in Ireland for the last twelve years, says the reason for her dedication to natural organic products is because they are much more healthier for the body than your average non-organic beauty product. “They (non organic beauty products) are not that bad, but this is much better. They won’t cause any allergies or do any harm to the body. Babies can even use them”.
The use of hair dyes has become an issue recently with reports that some hair dyes have been linked to cancer of the bladder. Is Organics use only organic dyes made from natural ingredients that do not harm the body. “The colours won’t harm your scalp; it’s one-hundred percent natural. The colouring we use is all from plants and flowers so it’s also ammonia free and fragrance free. Bleach hair colour is quite bad for your scalp... we have a very light blonde colour, but we don’t have to bleach your hair so it’s much better” Louise says.
None can swear more by organic products and their benefits than environmental and well being enthusiast Bernice Paolozzi, a now regular customer at Is Organics. She says, “There are no toxins that you don’t know about in the ingredients going into your body. The toxins can build up and then they can poison your bloodstream and affect the body.”
Normal, non-organic facials can also be harmful to the skin and body with use over time, as toxins in the toners can break through the skin barriers and build up in the body over time. Louise says, “The toners don’t have alcohol. A lot of products have alcohol in the toners, but the organic ones don’t contain alcohol. They have flower waters so it’s quite pure for your face. There are no chemicals.” Bernice, who regularly uses organic facial products, says of the natural ingredients in the toners, “It’s less invasive, it’s more softer. The results are the same but you have less acid going into your system”.
From an environmental perspective the use of organic products can also have beneficial effects as their waste products are much more friendlier to the environment than conventional beauty products. “The waste product from them is better for the environment. So if the products that all the hair dressers and beauticians are using were less toxic washing down the sink then that means that that are less toxins going into the water system.” Bernice says.
Is Organics also offer a permanent hair straightening treatment that can last from 6 to 8 months. The treatment, which is also sold at a very competitive price, can cut hair maintenance time in half as there is no need to blow-dry or straighten the hair. While the treatment is the only non-organic product used at Is Organics, the less frequent use of electrical appliances can also help you cut down on your carbon foot print. This not only makes it cost effective and time saving, but also very environmentally friendly. Bernice, who has had the hair straightening treatment done says that it works wonders, and results are obvious as her hair is long and sleek with no signs of styling damage. “Ever since I’ve had it done it is so easy to keep my hair. It’s literally just wash, brush and go, which is brilliant.”
The more you use organic beauty products the more likely it is that your skin will age less with time as the ingredients are not as harsh to the delicate skin on the face. Bernice started using organic beauty products ten years ago and says the anti-ageing effects are brilliant. “I find peoples’ reaction to me is that they are asking me what I’m using because I'm 45 this year and I tend to look younger. It’s really because I’m using organic products.”
When training to be a beautician Louise, originally being from Malaysia, saw a gap in the market and decided to open “Is Organic” seven months ago. She says “For organic products I saw the potential. A lot of people have started to realise well-being, to treat themselves better and to use better products.” According to Louise her clientele usually consist of middle aged people and that most of the younger generation of twenty-something’s still don’t appreciate the benefits of organic products. “Older people are more likely to choose organics. They care more about what they are using.” says Louise. “I’ve noticed that from about 30 onwards people start to realise to take care of themselves. When they are young they don’t care as much.” she adds.
The more you use organic beauty products the more likely it is that your skin will age less with time as the ingredients are not as harsh to the delicate skin on the face. Bernice started using organic beauty products ten years ago and says the anti-ageing effects are brilliant. “I find peoples’ reaction to me is that they are asking me what I’m using because I'm 45 this year and I tend to look younger. It’s really because I’m using organic products.”
When training to be a beautician Louise, originally being from Malaysia, saw a gap in the market and decided to open “Is Organic” seven months ago. She says “For organic products I saw the potential. A lot of people have started to realise well-being, to treat themselves better and to use better products.” According to Louise her clientele usually consist of middle aged people and that most of the younger generation of twenty-something’s still don’t appreciate the benefits of organic products. “Older people are more likely to choose organics. They care more about what they are using.” says Louise. “I’ve noticed that from about 30 onwards people start to realise to take care of themselves. When they are young they don’t care as much.” she adds.
Organic beauty products are still relatively new to Ireland and are generally more popular in East Asia where regulations are different. “There are different chemicals in them (non-organic products) that are tested on animals and they’re very aggressive. In the Eastern world all of the beauty and hair products are usually based as much as possible on herbal natural products so they are much softer for our skin and they are less aggressive. So you know the way if we use toner or cleanser we feel a sting? That’s because there’s acid in it.” Bernice says.
While you may not see organic beauty products in every beauticians in Ireland, but the number of people looking for them is steadily rising. “There are more customers looking for organic now. There used to be people just coming in and saying I want a colour but now people know the difference between the organic products and the non-organic ones” Louise says.
While you may not see organic beauty products in every beauticians in Ireland, but the number of people looking for them is steadily rising. “There are more customers looking for organic now. There used to be people just coming in and saying I want a colour but now people know the difference between the organic products and the non-organic ones” Louise says.
However, while organic beauty products seem to be gaining in popularity, will people consider health and well-being in this current economic climate? I asked Louise this question. “It’s quite difficult. With the economy now I find there is a little bit of pressure. Sometimes the business is ok, sometimes it’s going down and sometimes it’s picking up, so it’s not balanced like before. You couldn’t say ‘oh we’ll do a good week this week’ because you're not sure” Louise says. When asked if she had plans on expanding Louise said with a smile “It depends on how the economy grows and how the business grows. I don’t mind opening up one or two more.”
With our increasingly hectic lifestyles it can be difficult to remember to treat ourselves better and to use products that help our well-being. But with this increasingly hectic lifestyle it becomes even more important to use products that facilitate our well-being rather than products that could end up destroying it. Louise points out that even knowing you’ve shopped organic can make a difference to our well-being, she says, “You feel much better once you buy something organic. You feel like you have treated yourself better”.
For more information check out Is Organic Hair and Beauty Studio, Capel Street, Dublin 1 or telephone 01-8783068/0863389338
Skin Care Price List:
Phyt’s Soin Equilibre 60 euro
(1 hour)
Phyt’s Soin Anti-comedon 69 euro
(1 hour, 15 mins)
Phyt’s Soin Capyl 75 euro
For sensitive skin (1 hour, 15 mins)
Phyt’s Soin Oligo Vital 75 euro
Nourishing, anti-ageing
Phyt’s Soin D’O 80 euro
Reoxygenation for dull skin
Phyt’s Multi Vita 90 euro
Lifting and firming for fine lines
(1 hour, 30 mins)
Phyt’s Soi Energie Vitale 85 euro
For dull and tired skin
